Psychological impact of COVID-19 on nurses caring for patients during COVID-19 pandemic in Gaborone

Abstract

Aim: Nurses as front liners have direct contact with COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. Carrying the heavy burden during the pandemic has a mental health toll on healthcare professionals. The study explored nurses' experiences of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Botswana's two COVID-19 special care centres. Design: The study used qualitative case study research to solicit nurses' experiences caring for patients with COVID-19 in selected COVID-19 centres in Gaborone. Method: Researchers purposively recruited nurses from two COVID-19 centres in Botswana. Data were collected using semi-structured telephone interviews and analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Various institutional review boards ethically cleared the study. Results: Six themes emerged from the thematic analysis: feelings of fear and anxiety, hopelessness and helplessness, loneliness, physical distress, support mechanism and commitment to care. Public Contribution: The results offer important insights into the nurses' experiences during the COVI-19 pandemic.